Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $177,428 in Assistance-to-Firefighters Grants (AFG) to local fire departments and emergency services organizations in Oregon. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

“As a nation, we will once again recognize the start of National Fire Prevention Week. This year, October 7th through the 13th, the fire service will encourage and remind all residents of this nation to have working smoke alarms and a family escape plan, should their smoke alarms activate,” said U.S. Fore Administrator Gregory P. Cade. “Fortunately programs like the Assistance to Firefighter Grants provide the necessary funding to help firefighters, fire prevention specialists and fire chiefs to continue their efforts to reduce life and economic losses due to fire.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the following fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Oregon for:

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.

Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.